Vietnamese police have found about 2,000 dead cats intended for traditional medicine, state media said Friday.
The bodies of the felines were found at a slaughterhouse in Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta on Thursday, along with 480 live animals, according to the official provincial newspaper.
The cat is in cold storage and is believed to be headed for northern Vietnam.
Some in Vietnam believe that extracts from cat bones can help treat diseases such as asthma and osteoporosis.
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It is estimated that up to a million cats fall victim to the illegal wildlife trade each year in Vietnam, according to animal welfare organization Four Paws International.
The consumption of dogs and cats is legal in the country. Many restaurants serve meat but need a certificate to show the origin of the animal.
The slaughterhouse in Dong Thap failed to provide documents authorizing the killing and traceability details.
No one has been arrested in the case so far.
The traditional medicine industry is a major driver of wildlife trade in Asia, and Vietnam is a center for consumption and transportation.